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WhatsApp Released End-to-End Encryption Feature

posted on April 6, 2016

Whatsapp rolls out important security feature named end-to-end encryption,
Maybe its a most important release which will be loved by public as messages encrypted increases user security,
When you update WhatsApp,
When you and your contacts use the latest version of the app, every call you make, and every message, photo, video, file, and voice message you send, is end-to-end encrypted by default, including group chats, says WhatsApp.

What is end-to-end Encryption ?

In simple words when you send a message, the only person who can read it is the person or group chat that you send that message to. No one can see inside that message. Not cybercriminals. Not hackers. Not oppressive regimes. Not even us. End-to-end encryption helps make communication via WhatsApp private – sort of like a face-to-face conversation, said by WhatsApp.

How does it look like ?

Well, its enabled by default but when you chat you will be notified,
look in the screenshot below.,

Message you send to this chat and calls are now secured with end-to-end encryption.

These days every technologies have its backdoor, In this world, feature like end-to-end encryption will build trust in users & protects from such vulnerabilities.

How Does end-to-end Encryption Works ?

Well, everyone will be curious especially tech geek like me to know how this amazing feature works, Here’s what WhatsApp says about that;
WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption ensures only you and the person you’re communicating with can read what is sent, and nobody in between, not even WhatsApp. This is because your messages are secured with a lock, and only the recipient and you have the special key needed to unlock and read them. For added protection, every message you send has its own unique lock and key. All of this happens automatically: no need to turn on settings or set up special secret chats to secure your messages.
If you want to know even more, You can download this PDF.

Advantages of end-to-end encryption

You can use WhatsApp without any fear of intercepting messages by others, your conversation will be end-to-end secured so that any third party,Government and even WhatsApp cannot see your message. How cool that !

Group chats are also secured.

WhatsApp calls also secured by this feature.

Vulneberalities protection.

Disadvantages of end-to-end encryption

Well I think user has no disadvantages, but government may be not so happy for this feature.

Government will not able to track anyone’s messages in WhatsApp.

This can be misused as conversations are encrypted.

Meanwhile

In the UK, politicians have proposed banning such technologies, forcing companies to install “backdoors” that would weaken that security so that messages can be read by spies, as read in TOI.

Final Words

I was amazed to see such technologies and hoping you too,
Stay Secure & Drop comments below for feedback & suggestions !